How I became a women’s health coach and why it’s important to you

Today’s post is a bit of a personal one. It’s the story about how I found my calling, and became a women’s health coach. Whether you’ve been following along with my work for years or we’ve just been connected this week, I figure its time to get raw and real with you and tell you the story of how I found my calling, and how I got to where I am as a women’s health coach. Giving credit to my mentors, and hopefully inspiring you to find mentors of your own – whether that’s me, or someone else who has positively influenced your life.

Even though our stories might not be similar, I believe as women we all share a common bond…

And that is to live authentically, live a life on purpose, and be a part of community. (Periods aren’t the only thing we have in common!)

There have been some amazing health warriors who have all played a supporting role in my coaching journey. Dr. Sara Gottfried, Jessica Drummond, Dr. Libby Weaver, Chris Kresser (the lone guy!), Dr. Nat Kringoudis and Dr. Aviva Romm to name a few!

Let’s cut back to 2009, when all of this started for me. I had just moved from Florida to New York City so I could enroll at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, to finally pursue this dream of helping people. I know, a little vague, but I was on a mission to change people’s lives – I just wasn’t sure exactly what that was going to look like. I think the bravery of being in my 20’s with nothing to lose and everything to gain was at play.

I was soooo determined to make this happen, and simultaneously soooo lost. Let me explain…

Saturn Return

There is this thing called “Saturn Return”. Ever heard of it? No big deal if you haven’t, it’s not exactly mainstream, and I had never heard the term before becoming immersed in the woo woo wellness world.

Anyway, it’s this astrological phenomenon that happens in our mid to late 20’s that can be likened to a quarter life crisis – where you suddenly start questioning all that you’ve been doing, and in many cases decide that your current trajectory is not the one you actually want to be on.

The reason it is called a Saturn Return is because the planet Saturn takes approximately 29.5 years to orbit the sun, and return to the exact position it was in when you were born.

So, I was in the thick of my own Saturn Return when I up and moved to NYC with no plan and no job, but this indescribable desire to make huge shifts in my life. And girl, that is what I did.

Within the following year I completed IIN, I separated from my husband of seven years, I made an entirely new set of friends, I reconnected with the love of my life who I had known since I was 18, I transitioned out of my freelance commercial production career, and stepped into health coaching.

It was like Saturn Return on crack.

You and I both know that even small life changes can be terrifying, so you can imagine how insane this was for me. Looking back, I’d say 2010 brought me to my knees. It was the year that broke me open in countless ways.

I survived though. And I might even say I thrived. Because that’s what we women do right? This quote by Elizabeth Gilbert about sums it up…

Amiright though???

Pushing through & the (s)heroes I encountered along the way

Thankfully things began to work out. I ever so slowly put myself out there and started getting clients. I remember how petrified I was of being seen, because when people see you, they can criticize you. Cuz for real, your life’s work equals your entire identity and putting that all on the line is scary stuff. Haters gonna hate, but I pushed through.

By early 2012 I was lucky enough to score the opportunity to do a one year training program with Dr. Sara Gottfried. Her course instilled the confidence I so desperately needed to really take my business to the next level, and I will be forever grateful for her one-of-a-kind wisdom and humor.

Then Jessica Drummond established the Integrative Women’s Health Institute and offered me a free spot in her one year women’s health coach certification program. (OMG what the____?!). I jumped at the chance to participate, and was blown away by all the cutting edge information in the course. It served me well over the coming years, and further helped me solidify my growth. I even got to speak at her first live event last month.

In late 2015 I enrolled in Chris Kresser’s ADAPT training program. I legitimately stalked his website leading up to the launch of this program, only to find out it wasn’t open to health coaches. 🙁

Of course that wasn’t going to stop me – I made my case, and they let me in! This program challenged me on a whole new level, and there were a number of occasions where I had no idea what the heck they were even talking about! I still haven’t completely finished the coursework, but it has given me a ton of new knowledge, and I’m so glad I was persistent in my efforts to get accepted into the program.

I mentioned some other people at the beginning of this post, who have all helped shape my career, even though some of them are literally on the other side of the planet. I remember watching Dr. Libby’s TED Talk almost three years ago and then furiously typing out a blog post ode to her, because I was so immediately in love with her message! I even said something about wanting to make out with her. Haha! And would ya know, she reached out to me shortly after, we became friends, and met up a few times in NYC when she was here for work!

Nat Kringoudis contacted me over four years ago, and we immediately hit it off. We’ve been friends ever since, and now host a podcast together called The Period Party. We’ve recorded almost 75 episodes and it’s been downloaded nearly 200,000 times! And we finally met IRL a few months back when she visited the US for the first time.

Aviva Romm and I met in 2015, and also had an immediate soul sister connection. I’m going to be sharing amazing tips from her sparkly new book The Adrenal Thyroid Revolution in a few days — stay tuned for that. And she’ll be guest teaching on my upcoming Fix Your Period Apprenticeship Program as well. Woohoo!

So what’s the point of me sharing all this with you?

Two reasons:

If you think you have a higher calling, my advice is this: Don’t overthink it, just focus on what you want to say and do in this moment, and the people who are meant to hear your message will hear it. There is no roadmap – you’ll figure out the rest as you go.

Mentors and teachers come in many forms. And they will show up at the exact right times on the journey. Seize the opportunity to build relationships with them. I was at an event last week and this woman on stage was telling a story about meeting Oprah, and actually getting her producer’s phone number. She subsequently LOST the phone number. My advice? DON’T lose Oprah’s phone number! 🙂

Today I might be that person/catalyst for you

The video series will tell the story of why I became a women’s health coach, and how to determine your own higher calling. I’ll answer all of the questions that I know you have floating around in your head — potentially blocking you from taking the next step toward fulfilling your higher purpose. I’ll talk about “a day in the life of” a women’s health coach, and what starting your own business looks like. I’ll talk about it all!

Yay Nicole!!! I have to say that you have absolutely been a mentor for me even if you don’t know it! Meeting you and going on the Women’s Wellness Retreat in Costa Rica set me on a trajectory that’s changed my world! I have definitely been going through a major Saturn Return for the last 3 years, and now am feeling called to help women. SO excited for your video series, I just signed up!! Wishing you the best <3

Eva hi hi! Its so great to hear from you. I feel like the women’s wellness retreat was sooo long ago but it was a gathering of such amazing women that I’ll never forget it! I am sooo excited to hear all about your new trajectory girl. Really happy that you are working towards fulfilling your dreams. Big hugs to you!

Hey Nicole, this post came at the exact right moment for me. I actually found out about you because I’m working with Olga Pontes:). I really connected with what you wrote, as if it was for me personally. I’m excited to hear what you have to share in your videos. I’m an Ayurvedic practitioner and Acupuncturist and I’m creating an online business, but I’m struggling. I have all this wonderful training and experience in Eastern Medicine, but I feel like I’m missing some critical piece in helping my clients because I’m not trained specifically as a health coach. And also the issue of putting myself out there, being seen as you say. Even with so much training, it still feels like never enough. In addition, the past five months have been the hardest of my life and have cracked me open in countless ways. I think your story is amazing and inspiring. The synchronicity of meeting the people and mentors you’ve met really gives me hope that it will all work out for me, too. Thanks for being a guiding light. xoxo.

Rachel, thank you so much for your comment here. I believe that timing is everything and am hopeful that my videos will help you move into a place of more confidence with your business. Business can very much be a feast or famine environment and its all about having the resilience to keep going even through those tough times! Big hugs!!

I’m excited to watch the video series. I just launched my Nutrition and Health coaching practice this year, and doing it all alone is challenging. I often wonder if I’m doing the right thing, if I’m showing up in the right places, and often get scared of sharing my story and putting myself out there. I even wonder if there is a market for my services out there, and if my business will ever take off. But I keep going anyways, because I truly believe in my work and the difference in can make in the lives of other women. I’m looking forward to learning tips from experienced health coaches like you Nicole.

Jimena!! Yessss!! You are continuing to show up and you’re doing the work, and that really counts for so much. I know exactly what its like to feel alone on this journey, and I feel that community can really help ease that burden. I believe in the work you’re doing and trust that you will find your stride and great success. xoxoxoox

“Saturn Return”, no kidding. I have never heard of this until this blog post. I’ll be turning 30 this spring (2017) and have recently completely abandoned my successful construction project management career, completed a diploma in natural nutrition and found the fix your period programs. I feel like everything is rapidly falling into place. I just cant get enough women’s health information. I start my nutrition practice in April and I’m SO in for apprenticing with you, Nicole. You’ve totally inspired me to focus on helping other women. You’re doing SUCH a great job. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

YAY YAY YAY!!! It sounds like you did a complete 180 right before your 30th birthday, just like I did 8 years ago. Good for you for following through on what you feel really passionate about lady. Proud of all you’ve accomplished already and would be thrilled to have you join the program xoxoxo